From Muhammad Afiff Md Adnan
NAGOYA, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s success in ending a 36-year wait for the men’s team regu gold medal in sepak takraw at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games must be followed by efforts to strengthen the development programme to ensure the sport’s continued success.
National head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun said Malaysia needed to provide more opportunities for promising young players to be brought into the national development programme and gain exposure at international level.
“If we look at Indonesia, many of their players are young and promising, and they are brave enough to give them opportunities.
“We also need to keep pace with current developments so that we do not fall behind in giving our young players opportunities to compete at international level,” he told reporters here.
Ahmad Jais also sees the development programme as an early preparation to ensure the new generation can eventually take over from senior players such as Farhan Adam (left apit) and Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (tekong) when the time comes.
“Perhaps one day they will take over from Farhan and Syahir and represent the national team.
“So, we need to prepare them from an early stage,” he said.
Last Friday, the national team regu squad ended Malaysia’s 36-year wait for the gold medal, with the country’s previous victory coming at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.
Interestingly, Ahmad Jais was among the players who helped Malaysia win gold at that edition, before repeating the feat this time in a different capacity as national head coach.
-- BERNAMA